Changeable color automobile body



3 52111,; QGOM y 13, 1952 H. L. LACY El AL 2,596,566

CHANGEABLE COLOR AUTOMOBILE BODY M a A Filed y 1, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1/" INVEN TOR.

HARRY L. LACK MOUNT L. LAG).

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4 T TORNEY.

May 13, 1952 H. L. LACY -r AL CHANGEABLE COLOR AUTOMOBILE BODY 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 1. 1949 INVHVTOR. HARRY L. LAC)! MOU/VTL. LACK BM; M.

A T TORNE'Y.

Patented May 13, 1952 CHANGEABLE COLOR AUTOMOBILE BODY Harry L. Lacy, Philadelphia, Pa., and Mount L. Lacy, Dundalk, Md.

Application July 1, 1949, Serial No. 102,666

1 Claim.

This invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to the bodies used with same and an arrangement for changing the coloring thereof without the use of paint applied exteriorly on the colored surfaces.

The customary method of changing the coloring of a vehicle especially that of an automotive vehicle is by applying an exterior covering paint thereon. This type of painting is more or less permanent and is relatively expensive in labor and material. Wear and tear quickly deteriorate the coating and its appearance. In this invention, the use of paint is eliminated and in its place a colored liquid medium is employed. To do this the material of the body of the vehicle is modified to provide transparent or translucent plural skins for the vehicle instead of a single opaque one. The plural skins provide for narrow spacings into which the coloring medium is pumped. When this medium is located in the spaces its color naturally appears through the transparent or translucent material and gives its coloring to the body. This medium is nonstaining and can be removed as easily as inserted, and if desirable, another substituted, or a plurality of different colors may be used. This may be done indefinitely to produce as many shades of coloring as the user desires and as often as he may decide upon. There is no cost for application that is appreciable, and the colorings may be reused as many times as necessary.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved coloring arrangement for vehicles that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of coloring for the bodies of vehicles that will be quick, effective and inexpensive, and at the same time enable a most extensive selection of color changes to be employed.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method of coloring for the bodies of vehicles that will enable them to be used to overcome some of the inconveniences of light and sun that arise in their use.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method for covering the tops of automobiles with a transparent or translucent material having spaces therebetween for the reception of an interchangeable fluid which may be interchanged from an opaque fluid to one having a transparent character to enable the user to see through the covering at predetermined intervals.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For clearer understanding of the invention, its objects and the principles thereof reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings and the following description outline a particular form of the invention by way of example and give a practical illustration of its use. The claim indicates the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of an automobile body embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view through the body of the automobile shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the various parts used in the illustration of this invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the valve used in this invention.

Similar reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various drawings.

In the drawings, the body I!) of an automobile of conventional contour is indicated. It has a top made of plastic or other transparent material suitable for the purpose. The plastic is made into layers or skins H, 12 and I3 parallel and close to one another leaving narrow spaces [4 and i5 in between. These spaces are sufiicient to permit the inclusion of colored solutions l6 and ll, selected for the purpose to be introduced under vacuum or pressure, and their removal in the same manner. Piping l8 and i9 is installed in the spaces and terminates in suitable nozzles 20 and 2|, suitably located therein. The piping l8 and I9 run to a vacuum pump 22 mounted in the vehicle and draws the supply of colored solutions l6 and I! from tanks 23 and 24, placed conveniently for the purpose. The plastic is clear and transparent or translucent, where used. In some locations like that of the top, the material is double spaced with spaces I4 and I5 therebetween for the insertion of the solution. The solutions used may be of such colors as the user considers desirable, and have a light body so they will flow easily through the spaces [4 and IS without adhering thereto noticeably. Alcohols and ethers are of this nature colored by a dye that will remain suspended and distributed, indefinitely. The extent of the area of the body that is subject to coloring depends on the judgment used by those concerned in the design and construction of the vehicle, and will vary according to conditions and choice. The valves are all provided with a valve body 4|, a valve change the color. To change the color, in the upper compartment or space, the user closes the switch 25 and opens the valve 26 to the vacuum pump 22 and draws the air through the nozzle 20 and through piping 18. As the valve 26 is opened the same switch also opens valves 21 and 28 and 29 to allow the solution to be drawn up into the space H from the tanks 23, two being positioned at the front and one at the rear. When the space i4 is filled the switch 25 is opened, cutting off the vacuum pump 22 and closing the valves 21, 28 and 29 from the tank 23 to prevent the solution from flowing back from the space M. To fill the lower compartment l5, the switch 30 is closed and opens the valve 3| to the vacuum pump 22 and draws the air through the nozzle 2| and through piping l9. As the switch 30 is opened the same switch also opens the valves 32, 33 and 34 to allow the solution to be drawn up into the space l from the tanks 24, two being positioned at the front and one tank at the rear. When the space I5 is filled, the switch 30 is opened, cutting off the vacuum pump 22 and closing the valves 32, 33 and 34 from the tank 24 to prevent the solution H from flowing back into the tanks 24. When it is desired to drain the solution 16 back into the tanks 23 switch 35 is opened before switch 25 is closed, this will prevent the vacuum pump 22 from operating and holding the solution in the space I4, and will open the valves 21, 28 and 29 and allow the solution to fiow back into the tanks 23. When it is desired to discharge the solution from the space I5 into the tanks 24, the switch 35 is opened before the switch 30 is closed, this will prevent the vacuum from holding the solution IS in the space l5, through the valves 32, 33 and 34 being op'bned to allow the solution to flow back into the tanks 24. In this form the daylight can be allowed to flow into the inside of the car through its roof. Or a special fluid can be used to allow visibility through the solution and top, without the possibility of receiving sunburn and the like. A battery 42 furnishes the electric current for operating the device. This same process may be repeated as often as required, and if necessary other tanks included if more colorings are decided upon. The skins of the body may be relatively thin, and strengthened by fins 31 placed on the surfaces of the inner and pointed to the opposite surfaces to those on which they are mounted. The fins 31 act as trusses between the skins and prevent their collapse or buckling. They may have transverse holes through them when needed to allow the solution to drain off readily out of the spaces, during the change of colorings.

The arrangement is a very convenient one. It provides for almost instant change of coloring,

and not only afiords an aesthetic effect but also enables the user to overcome the effects of glare from the sun. This is a considerable convenience and after a little publicity and use would be at tractive to most persons. The aspect of such an innovated system of coloring is difllcult to accept, at first, but in the end its utility would overcome such obstacles. Its cost is relatively small, and the fact that the coloring keeps the vehicle appearing newly painted all the time, as long as the outside surface of the outer skin of the body is kept clean. At the same time the use of a transparent body is considered the ultra-modern idea of the automobile, while also allowing more healthful lighting of its interior and observance of surrounding scenery, yet not excluding the capacity for making the body opaque similarly if necessary.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A roof construction for automobiles comprising three spaced translucent skins providing two sealed spaces between the middle skin and each of the outer skins, respectively, said middle skin having integral fins protruding outwardly on opposite sides thereof to support the outer skins, and means for selectively supplying liquids of predetermined colors to said spaces, said means including a nozzle in each space, piping leading to said nozzles and extending through and being supported by some of the aforesaid fins, and a vacuum pump connected to said piping, all of said fins being apertured to allow fiow of the liquids therethrough.

HARRY L. LACY. MOUNT L. LACY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Dean July 6, 1943'- Wolkenhauer Apr. 10, 1945 ,474,712 Aparicio June 28, 1949 Candler, Jr Nov. 29, 1949 Fox D80. 18, 1934 Winn Apr. 13, 194E" 

